In an era when a night at the movies feels more precious than ever, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is placing the spotlight where it belongs: on the theaters that make cinema feel unforgettable. The newly announced Academy Marquee Theater List is a global honor designed to celebrate extraordinary movie houses—the kind of places where velvet seats, glowing marquees, pristine projection, and a sense of occasion still turn filmgoing into an event.

Timed to the Academy’s 100th anniversary in 2027, the inaugural list will name 50 standout theaters in spring 2027, with 25 from the United States and 25 from around the world. From grand old picture palaces to art-house gems and contemporary multiplexes, the initiative aims to recognize venues that do more than screen films: they shape culture, preserve movie history, and anchor the communities around them.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor framed the new initiative as a celebration of the theatrical experience itself—one that honors the spaces bringing audiences together through cinematic storytelling. And really, what could be more stylish than a theater with a point of view?

To make the cut, eligible theaters must be year-round, brick-and-mortar venues located anywhere in the world, whether they program first-run releases or repertory favorites. The Academy says selections will be judged on everything from community engagement and accessibility to technical presentation, historic preservation, and even the overall atmosphere of the space.

In other words, this is not simply a list of movie theaters—it is a list of destinations. The kind of places that remind us cinema has texture, glamour, and ritual. The kind of places that make getting dressed for a screening feel entirely appropriate.

And while the final roster won’t be revealed until 2027, we would love to see our beloved Belcourt Theatre on that list. Few venues embody the romance of repertory programming, community devotion, and cultural significance quite like Nashville’s own landmark cinema. If the Academy wants theaters with soul, the Belcourt makes a compelling case.

Applications are now open, with submissions due by Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 5 p.m. PT. For theaters around the globe, consider this the call sheet. For film lovers everywhere, consider it one more reason to believe in the enduring chic of the big screen.